Costco Opens First Standalone Gas Station, Baffles Shoppers

Costco has opened its first standalone gas station in Mission Viejo, California, a move met with customer enthusiasm for potentially alleviating crowded existing locations, but also with confusion over missing features. The new fuel-only station, which replaced a former Bed Bath & Beyond, operates exclusively for Costco members.

Despite the excitement for a dedicated fuel stop, shoppers have expressed surprise that the standalone station does not offer diesel fuel, propane refills, or a car wash. Some also noted the absence of electric vehicle charging stations, features that are not universally present at all of Costco's traditional gas stations attached to its warehouse stores but are often expected by members.

"This is really strange," one Reddit user commented. "I expect all those things and electric car chargers and a food court if you're not even going to have a Costco [warehouse] to shop at." Another user expressed disappointment about the lack of diesel.

However, the new station does offer competitive pricing, with gas at $4.79 per gallon, which is significantly lower than the average prices in Orange County and Los Angeles County. This is particularly timely as California prepares for a state gas tax increase on July 1, which will add 2.2 cents per gallon.

Costco's gas stations are a significant revenue driver, accounting for 10 percent of the company's total revenue in 2025, with 747 such stations globally. The company has also announced plans for another standalone gas station in Honolulu, Hawaii, expected to open in 2027. It remains unclear if Costco intends to expand this standalone concept to other locations.

Costco currently operates approximately 920 warehouse locations in the US, in addition to its growing number of fuel stations. The company recently expanded nationwide gas station hours, operating from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and with varied weekend hours.